In a bold and impassioned speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a stark warning to European leaders about the dangers of censorship and the erosion of free speech.
Addressing a room filled with military leaders, diplomats, and policymakers, Vance criticized what he called Europe’s retreat from fundamental democratic values and vowed that the Trump Administration would champion free expression at home and abroad.
“There is a new sheriff in town,” Vance declared. “Under Donald Trump’s leadership, we may disagree with your views, but we will fight to defend your right to offer them in the public square.”
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While the Munich Security Conference traditionally focuses on external security threats, Vance shifted the spotlight to what he described as a growing internal crisis: the suppression of free speech and democratic principles in Europe. “The threat that I worry the most about vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia. It’s not China. It’s not any other external actor,” Vance said. “What I worry about is the threat from within—the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values.”
Vance expressed concern over recent actions by European governments and institutions that he believes undermine free expression. He cited examples such as the annulment of an election in Romania, the European Union’s plans to shut down social media during times of civil unrest, and the prosecution of individuals for expressing dissenting views.
“When we see European courts canceling elections and senior officials threatening to cancel others, we ought to ask whether we’re holding ourselves to an appropriately high standard,” Vance said. “We must do more than talk about democratic values. We must live them.”
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Vance pointed to specific instances of what he called “censorship overreach” across Europe:
- In Sweden, a Christian activist was convicted for participating in Quran burnings, with a judge noting that the country’s laws do not grant a “free pass” to offend others.
- In the United Kingdom, a 51-year-old army veteran was charged and fined for silently praying near an abortion clinic, under a law criminalizing actions within “buffer zones.”
- In Scotland, citizens received letters warning that private prayer within their own homes could be considered illegal if it occurred near abortion facilities.
“Free speech, I fear, is in retreat,” Vance said. “These are not the actions of societies that value liberty and democracy. They are the actions of governments that fear dissent.”
Vance drew parallels between Europe’s current trajectory and the Cold War era, when democratic nations stood against authoritarian regimes that censored dissent, closed churches, and canceled elections. “Thank God, they lost the Cold War,” Vance said. “They lost because they neither valued nor respected the extraordinary blessings of liberty.”
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He urged European leaders to recommit to the principles of free speech, innovation, and creativity, which he argued are essential to a thriving democracy. “You can’t mandate innovation or creativity, just as you can’t force people what to think, what to feel, or what to believe,” Vance said. “These freedoms are the foundation of our shared values.”
Vance also acknowledged that the United States has not been immune to censorship controversies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He criticized the Biden Administration for pressuring social media companies to suppress what it deemed “misinformation,” including the lab leak theory about the origins of COVID-19, which has since gained credibility.
“Our own government encouraged private companies to silence people who dared to utter what turned out to be an obvious truth,” Vance said. “But under the Trump Administration, we will do precisely the opposite. We will defend your right to speak your mind, even if we disagree with you.”
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Vance concluded his speech with an offer of collaboration, urging European leaders to join the United States in defending free speech and democratic values. “We are on the same team,” he said. “Let’s work together to ensure that the blessings of liberty are preserved for future generations.”
The Vice President’s remarks were met with a mix of applause and murmurs of concern, reflecting the divisive nature of the issues he raised. As Europe grapples with questions about the balance between security and freedom, Vance’s message serves as a reminder of the enduring importance of free expression in a democratic society.
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